Clock, so-called mysterious small clock



April 1939- c. H. H.-RODANET H 2,153,004

CLOCK, SO-CALLED MYSTERIOUS SMALL CLOCK Filed May 25, 1937 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .FiaQ.

27 7 2| 5 4221 I 1 28 20 l I A o r-\ I D 55L: 4 m \J i =5 I 99 I 4a 1 V I 1 28 7\/ l 28 L 141 27 n 15 22 INVENTOR= CHARLES H ILAIRE HENRI RODANET ATTORNEYS April 4, 1939- c. H. H. RODANET Y CLOCIL SO-CALLED MYSTERIOUS SMALL CLOCK Filed May 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CHARLES HILAIRE HENRI RODANET Patented Apr. 4, i939 PATENTOFFICE CLOCK, SO-CALLED MYSTEBIOUS SMALL CLOCK Charles mime Henri Rodanet, Neullly-sur- Seine, France, "assignor to Soclete Anonyme: Etabllssements Ed. Jaeger, Leva1lols-Perret,. France Application May 25, 1937, Serial No- 144,590

In France June 18,

4 Claims. ('01. 5a-26) (Blocks, so-ca'lled mysterious small clocks, are known having a, transparent front i'ace and a. transparent rear face, the'front ia'ce forming a. dial and the rear face carrying a. central pivot 5 system also serving to set the clock right. The Patent No. 2,060,531, for instance, describes such :2. small clock. In these small clocks, the minute hand is driven by an intermediate transparent I F disc, therefore invisible, which receives a continuous movement of rotation from a, mechanism usually arranged in the base oi the smell clock and which engages with this disc at its periphery the minute-hand actuating the hour-hand, by means of a suitable set of wheels arranged in the central pivot system. In case the intermediate transparent disc receives a. movement of oscillation, a selecting device (for instance having a pawl and ratchet) ,is arranged, moreover, in the central pivot system and transforms this movement'of oscillation of the transparent intermedicte disc into a. movement oi. rotation of the mlnute hond of constant direction. In these smell clocks, the mysterious character is attennoted by the fact that an opaque hub is provided at the center of the'diel. v

The present invention is adopted to remedy this objection and tor that purpose it is particularly characterised by the fact that between the fixed transparent front and rear faces forming e. dial are arranged two intermediate transparent utes and hours, these discs being rendered rigid at their periphery with gear wheels respectively meshing with toothed wheels arranged in the base of the small clock and rotatively driven at suitable speeds from a. suitable chronometric mechanism also arranged in this base, the gear wheels rigid with the transparent intermediate discs being concealed by opaque raised portions secured on the opaque peripheral-frame of this small clock.

The present invention also includes a number of detail objects forming apart of the main object, applied separately or in any combinations.

-1. Each of the transparent intermediate discs is fitted into and rendered rigid with a toothed peripheral gear wheel which is supported by two spaced rollers arranged in thebase of the small clock and on which it rests by its own weight.

. 2. The chronometric mechanism actuating the transparent intermediate discs is constituted by a small synchronous electric motor starting automatically, receiving current from the mains and provided, in the known manner, with a device determining its direction of rotation.

discs carrying the members indicating the min-v BQJI 'he shaft on which the rotor of the synchronous motor is mounted, is extended at its up- I per pert in order to pass through the opaque frame of the clock and to thus appear through the transparent discs and by its end face which is provided with a. reference mark so that it is easy to ascertain if the clock is working.

4. In order to' allow of setting the clock'right, the shaft on which is rigidly secured the toothed wheel'driving the disc carrying the member indicating the minutes, is actuated by a toothed wheel, driven from the chronometrlc mechanism and connected to this shaft simply by friction, said shaft extending outside the case or base and being provided with a. milled knob for facilitating its rotation. v

The present invention also extends to a number of particular features which will appear in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of example only, in which:

Fig. 1 is an'elevetion oi the clock; according to the invention. k

t Fig. 2 is e plan view, on an enlarged scale. oi the actuating mechanism, the dial, the movable discs and the once or hose being removed.

Fig. 3 is c. section made according to the broken line m-m oi Fig; 2.

Fig. 4 is a section made according to one of the broken lines IV-=IV of Figs. 2 end Fig. 5 is c. section, on an enlarged see-1e, made according to line V-V oi ll.

The mysterious small clock, improved according to the invention, is composed of at base comprising-s lower part i forming a base and an upper prismatic part i supporting the dial and'the movable indicating members, the actuating chronometric mechanism being contained within said base.

' According to the invention, the clock is composed of a ring or circular frame 2 secured on the upper part I' of the base by any suitable means such as screws 3; On the side faces of this ring respectively are arranged circular discs 4 made of transparent material such as" glass, which are held in position by any suitable means. Thus, in the form ofconstructionillustrated,- these discs are held in position by a number of members 5 having a, cross section in the shape of a flared U and which are secured, by means of screws 6, on ring'Z. Moreover, the'upper part I V in position in any other manner and for instance by rims screwed or forced on suitable portions of the ring 2.

The ring 2 comprises, on each side of its axial plane passing through the centre line of its circumference, circular recesses I and 8 in which are freely arranged with some play, gear wheels 9 and III respectively, These gear wheels 9 and III are respectively provided with peripheral teeth II and I2 meshing respectively with toothed wheels I3 and I4, as explained later on.

In these gear wheels 9 and III are respectively secured by any suitable means, intermediate discs I5 and I6 made of transparent material such as glass, on which appear, in any suitable manner, distinctive signs respectively constituting the members indicating the minutes and hours. In

' the form of construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the

member I1 indicating the minutes formed on the glass disc I5 is constituted by a comet whilst the member I8 indicating the hours is constituted by Saturn provided with its ring. It is of course obvious that these distinctive signs might be of any nature whatever. Likewise, one or both of the fixed glass discs 4 have at their periphery a number of distinctive signs I9 regularlyspaced apart and indicating the intervals of time, either from minute to minute or from five minutes to five minutes, or from hour to hour, as shown in Fig. 1 in which the signs I9 are in the shape of stars. These various signs II, III and I8, can be obtained either by grinding or engraving the glass or by applying on the latter paint or silvering so that in this latter case the signs appear as mirrors, or in any other suitable manner.

The gear wheels 9 and III each rest by their lower part and under the action of their own weight on two spaced rollers 'journalled in bearing portions provided at the upper part of plates 2| and 22 which are secured, by any suit able means, on a central member 28 itself secured, by screws or bolts 29, on the base I. Said rollers 20 pass through opening 23 formed in the ring 2 opposite said rollers 2I).-

In order to conceal all the inneropaque parts and to allow to appear only the glass discs 4, I5 and I8 and to thus create the mysterious character of the working of the clock, two raised members 24 and 25 are arranged on either side of the central ring 2 and are held by their periphery between the side faces of said ring 2 and outer glass discs 4. Said raised members 24 and 25 do not respectively bear against the inner movable transparent discs I6 and I5 so that these discs I5 and I6 can freely rotate, but these raised gosrtions prevent an axial displacement ofthese The mechanism for driving the movable transparent indicating discs I! and I8 will now be described. In the form of construction illustrated on .the various figures of the drawings, the chronometric mechanism is electric and constituted by a small synchronous motor supplied with current from the mains, starting automatically and provided, in the known manner, with a de-- vice determining the direction of operation so that the rotor of this motor always rotates in the same direction. The stator 54 is secured, by any suitable means, in the lower part of the base I. The rotor 30 is mounted on a vertical shaft 3| which is supported at 59 at its lower part and journalled near its upper part in a bracket 55 provided in the central member 28. At its upper part the shaft ll passes through a perforation 56 formed in the central ring 2, so that the end ofshaft 3| or a sighting-piece 51 mounted on the said and should be visible through the transparent discs 4, I5, and IE, this allowin the user, in'case a reference mark 58 is traced on said end or on the sight-piece 51, to easily ascertain, by the continuous rotation of this reference mark,'if the clock is working.

On shaft 3| is provided a worm 32 or the like which meshes with a helical wheel 33 fast on a horizontal shaft 34 journalled at its ends on pivots 35 mounted on the central member 23. One of the ends of shaft 34 comprises a worm 38 meshing with a helical wheel 31 fast on a horizontal shaft 38 journalled in the platens 2| and 22. On this shaft 38 is provided or rigidly secured a toothed pinion. 39 meshing with a toothed wheel 40. This toothed wheel 40 drives, by simple friction, a shaft 4|. For that purpose, the toothed wheel 40 is pressed by a spring 42 against a bearing 43 fast on shaft 4i, the spring 42 taking a bearing, on the one hand, on a washer 44 pressed against the wheel 40 and, on the other hand, on a washer 45 secured by pin at 46 on shaft 4|. At the end of shaft 4| adjacent to platen 22 is rigidly secured the toothed wheel I3 meshing with the teeth I I of gear wheel 9 the transparent disc I5 of which carries the memher I] indicating the minutes. For that purpose, the speed of the synchronous motor and the gearing down ratios between the gearing sys terns 32-33, 3B-3'l, 39 40 and |3-Il, are so chosen that gear wheel 9 and the transparent disc I5 rigid with the same, effect a complete revolution in one hour.

On shaft 4| is provided a toothed pinion 41 meshing with a toothed wheel 48 fast on a shaft 49 journalled in both platens 2| and 22. At the other end of shaft 49 is provided or rigidly se cured a pinion 50 meshing with the toothed wheel l4 which meshes in its turn with the teeth I2 of gear wheel III the transparent disc it of which carries the member I8 indicating the hours. The toothed wheel I4 is fast on a shaft 5| journalled, at its ends, in the platens 2| and 22. The gearing down ratio of the gears 4|-48 and Ell -I4 is so chosen that the gearing down ratio between toothed wheels I3 and I4, is I2.

Consequently, it will easily be seen from the foregoing that the indicating members I1 and I8 respectively carried by the transparent discs I5 and I6 will respectively indicate the minutes and the hours.

The connection by simple friction existing between the toothed wheel 40, driven from the rotor 30 of the synchronous motor, and shaft 4| is established for the purpose of setting the clock right. For that purpose, shaft 4| extends outside the case or base I and on its extension is secured, by a pin 52 for instance, a milled knob 53 by means of which the user can cause shaft 4| to rotate, thus actuating the toothed wheel I3 controlling disc I5 for the minutes and also actuating, through the medium of gears 41, 48, 50 and I4, disc l6 for the hours.

The present invention is not limited to the form of construction described above and illustrated but extends to all those utilising the characteristic features above set forth and satisfying the desired object. These forms of construction can differ particularly by the shape, arrangement and nature of the distinctive signs appearing on the transparent discs, by the shape of the clock, and

by the chronometric mechanism driving the transparent discs which can be an electric mechanism or be constituted by an ordinary clockwork actuated by a spring for instance.

, ausaooc rear transparent plates, one of which constitutes riphery of said intermediate transparent discs and-each comprising a smooth cylindrical surface forming a rolling track, two pairs of rollers jourthe dial,,a support on which said transparent plates are secured, two intermediate transparent discs arranged between said plates, members indicating the minutes and the hours respectively carried by said intermediate transparent discs. two gear wheels respectively secured at the periphery of said intermediate transparent discs and each comprising a smooth cylindrical surface forming a rolling track, .two pairs of rollers iour-' nailed in said base and on which rest said gear wheels by their smooth surfaces, two toothed wheels also .ioumalled-in the walls of said base for respectively meshing with said gear wheels, opaque raised portions pressed against the inner faces of said transparent plates and at their periphery for concealing said gear wheels, a circular ring comprised between said plates and secured to said base, cross members secured on said ring and having bent down edges for laterally pressing said front and rear transparent plates against said ring, a chronometric mechanism driving said toothed wheels for causing them to rotate at suitable speeds so that one of said transparent discs effects a revolution in twelve hours whilst the other transparent 'disc effects a revolution in one hour, said chronometric mechanism being arranged in the base of the clock. I

2. In a clock, in combination: two front and rear transparent plates, one of which constitutes the dial, a support on which said transparent plates are secured, two intermediate transparent discs. arranged between said plates, members iiidicatlng the minutes and the hours respectively carried by said intermediate transparent discs, two gear wheels respectively secured at the perlphery of said intermediate transparent discs and each comprising a smooth cylindrical surface forming a rolling track, two pmrs of rollers .iour .nalled in said base and on which rest said gear wheels by their smooth surfaces, two toothed wheels also journalled in the walls of said base for respectivelymeshing with said gear wheels, opaque raised portions pressed against the inner faces of said transparent plates and at their periphery for concealing said gear wheels, a circular ring comprised between said plates and se= cared to said base, cross members secured on said ring and having "bent down edges for laterally pressing said eiront and rear transparent plates against said ring, a synchronous electric motor starting automatically having a constant direction of rotation, a vertical shaft rigid with the rotor of said motor, agearing down device provided with worm wheels and worms interposed between said vertical shaft and that of said toothed wheels driving the transparent disc'in I dicating the minutes, a setof gears interposed tween said toothed wheels so that the toothed wheel driving'the transparent disc indicating the hours rotates twelve times less rapidly than the other toothed wheel, said motor ,as well as. the worm gearing down device provided with gears being arranged within said base.

3. In a. clock, in combination: two front and rear transparent plates, one of which constitutes the dial, a support on whichsaid transparent plates are secured, two intermediate transparent discs arranged between said plates, members indicating the minutes and the hours respectively carried by said intermediate transparent discs,

two gearwheels respectively secured at the pesaid ring, a synchronous electric motor starting automatically and having a-constant direction of rotation, a vertical shaft rigid with the rotor of said motor and having a reference mark formed on the upper end, said vertical shaft being upwardly extended for passing through a perforation formed in said ring so that through said transparent discs and transparent plates, can be visible the reference mark formed on the upper.

and of said shaft, in order that the user can easily ascertain if the clock is working, a gearing down device provided with worm wheels and worms interposed between said vertical shaft and that of said toothed wheels driving the transparent disc indicating the minutes, a 'set of gears interposed between said toothed wheels so that the toothed wheel driving the transparent disc indicating the hours rotates twelve times less rapidly than the other toothed wheel, said motor as-well as the worm gearing down device provided with gears being arranged within said base. 4,. In a clock, in combination: two'iront and rear transparent plates, one of which constitutes the dial, a support on which said transparent plates are secured, two intermediate transparent discs arranged between said plates, members indicating the minutes and the hours respectively carried by said intermediate transparent discs, two gear wheels respectively secured at the pe riphery of said intermediate transparent discs and each comprising a smooth cylindrical surface forming a rolling track, two pairs of rollers journalled in said base and on which rest said gear wheels by their smooth surfaces, two toothed wheels also journalled in the walls of said base for respectively meshing with said gear wheels, opaque raisedportions pressed against the inner faces'of said transparent plates and at their periphery for concealing'said gear wheels, a circular ring comprised between said plates and secured to said base, cross members secured on said ring and having bent down edges for laterally pressing mid front and rear transparent plates against said ring, a synchronous electric motor starting automatically and having a constant direction of rotation, a vertical shaft rigid with the rotor of said motor and having 'a reference mark informed on the upper end, said vertical shaft being upwardly extended for passing through a mrforation formed in said ring so that throughsaid transparent discs and transparent plates, can be visible the reference mark formed on the upper end of said shaft, in order that theuser can easily toothed pinion fast on said first horizontal shaft,

a second horizontal shaft on which is rigidly secured that of said toothed wheels driving the transparent disc indicating the minutes. a third toothed wheel frictionaliy mounted on said second horizontal shaft and meshing with said toothed pinion for normally driving said second shaft but for allowing said second horizontal shaift to be rotated when it is desired to set the clock right,

a milled knob fast on'the end of said second hurl-'- zontai shaft and outside the base for facilitating this operation of setting the clock right, a. set of gears interposed between said toothed wheel driving the dish indicating the minutes and the toothed wheel driving the disc indicating the hours, saidmotor as well as the worm gearing down device providedwith gears being arranged 5 within said base.

CHARLES HILAIRE I-ENRI RODANET. 

